TOWN OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS CLIMATE RESILIENCE DESIGN GUIDANCE CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT FACILITES AND SCHOOLS, PARKS AND OPEN SPACE, AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Funded Through: Prepared By: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant June 2019 INTRODUCTION

Climate change is occuring globally, but the Town of on how Low Impact Development (LID) tools and climate Brookline is already experiencing the impacts of climate resilience designs can be used to increase the resilience of change at the local level. Climate trends across the new development and redevelopment in Brookline. Commonwealth show an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather. The observed increase LID techniques use or mimic natural processes and are temperatures and high intensity rainfall are expected considered a best management practice for adapting to to continue and worsen with time. The increased increased temperatures, rainfall amounts, and flooding temperatures will be apparent as heat waves and days associated with climate change. over 90 degrees Fahrenheit become more frequent. effect, or increased heat in highly developed areas due Heat is a particular concern in north Brookline, which to surfaces that absorb heat (like ), can also is within the hottest 5% of the greater Boston area. be reduced through LID design. Some LID strategies Rising temperatures will impact natural systems and also mimic natural systems to manage , thus the built environment. Increased temperatures could minimizing stormwater flooding, protecting habitat, and result in an increase in invasive species and pests, improving . Many LID tactics addresses infrastructure malfunctions due to overheating, and heat- stormwater onsite using permeable surfaces and related illnesses. Moreover, more intense rainfall may vegetation, which reduce the impact on the municipal result in more frequent riverine flooding (out of banks) storm drainage system. The use of LID stormwater and stormwater flooding (when drainage infrastructure management techniques presented in this document becomes overwhelmed. Stormwater from more intense or longer duration precipitation events can increase the Critical Facilities in Temperature Hot Spots amount of pollutants washed into water bodies. Although Brookline has no coastal shoreline, climate change projections indicate that storm surge could travel up the Muddy River from the Charles River and impact the Brookline shoreline by late century.

Read more about the Brookline’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan

The impact of climate change on the Town of Brookline will be dependent upon the local ability to adapt to changing conditions. Businesses, employees, residents, and the municipalities could experience service disruptions, property damage, and increased health risks related to climate change. The Town of Brookline is committed to minimizing the impacts of climate change and to ensure residents, businesses, infrastructure and the environment can recover quickly when impacts do occur. The Town encourages all development to contribute to the community’s resilience and to consider climate impacts in planning, design, and Hot spots and zones in north Brookline. Image credit: Town of construction. This guidance document provides information Brookline Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan (2017)

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 1 should always avoid causing impacts to adjacent or numbers on each example site plan. For example, climate surrounding sites. Climate resilience best management resilience design for commercial properties (p.5) involved techniques presented in this document have been best management practices 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 11 listed proven successful both locally and nationally. The climate below. In addition, all developments should consider resilience best management practices (see below) are steps they should take to protect soils (10) and improve described on fact sheets and their application is shown build resilience. Buildings prone to flooding should also on five example sites in Brookline. The numbers below consider site grading (9), floodable spaces (5) and flood correspond to the numbers on the fact sheets and the barriers as strategies to improve resilience (4).

CLIMATE RESILIENCE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1. and Rain Garden 8. Rainwater Harvesting 2. Building Planter Boxes 9. Site Grading for Flood Management 3. Exterior Window Shade 10. Soil Protection 4. Flood Barriers 11. Sustainable Roofing Strategies 5. Floodable Spaces 12. Tree Box Filters 6. Green Wall 13. Vegetation and Shade Trees 7. Permeable Pavement and Cool Pavement

The following fact sheets provide a list of resilience RESILIENCE BENEFITS benefits (presented to the left) that can be achieved with each best management practice in addition to the ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite following: ✓✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect COST ✓✓ Provides Recharge ✓✓ Improves Air Quality RESOURCES ✓✓ Improves Site Aesthetics ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect ✓✓ Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs MAINTENANCE ✓✓ Mitigates the Impact of Flooding ✓✓ Reduce and Sedimentation DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Roof runoff directed into permeable area. Renewable energy and electric vehicle Permeable pavent allows water to soak into infrastructure are important climate the soil. mitigation efforts.

Page 2 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline Four land use types make up the majority of land in Commercial Government Brookline, which include commercial, government Development, 3% Facilities, 3% facilities and schools, parks and open space, and Mised Use, 3% residential. The typical site descriptions for the different land use types are described below. Climate resilience Other, practices were recommended for five actual sites in 5% Brookline to demonstrate the applicability of potential resilience practices. Note, each type of land has one example except commercial development, which has two examples. The Brookline specific example sites Multi-family demonstrate the applicability of climate resilience Right of Way, housing, 37.5% practices to in a local context. Roadway and parking 16% lot design can be a component of any type of site and the proposed strategies proposed for the Kent in Brookline Village could be model for any parking lot design. Overall, Brookline is likely to see more Open Space, redevelopment than new development, however, the 20% techniques presented here can be applied to both. Single-family housing, 12.5% COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Commercial development comprises only 3% of Brookline Brookline Land Use Types (MAPC, 2017) and another 3% is mixed use (Town of Brookline’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan, MAPC, 2017). Typical commercial development occurs PARKS AND OPEN SPACE in commercial centers Brookline’s five largest commercial Brookline is fortunate to be have 20% of the total land districts: Brookline Village, Coolidge Corner, Chestnut as open space. Brookline’s open space resources range Hill, Washington Square, and along Route 9 (Brookline in scale from grand historic parks and private estates Housing Production Plan, RKG Associates, Inc. and et to small pocket parks and public gathering places in al., 2016). Commercial centers are highly developed with commercial areas (RKG Associates, Inc. and et al., little open space and high amounts of . 2016). Longwood Playground is a mid-size park that More than half of Brookline’s businesses lay within critical was historically a deep marsh and is provided as a typical temperature hot spots, and a relatively small number example in this guidance document. of businesses are located in areas currently subject to flooding (MAPC, 2017). Coolidge Corner and the Kent Street parking lot in Brookline Village are provided as RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT typical examples in this guidance document. Fifty percent of Brookline is residential (MAPC, 2017). Brookline’s housing stock includes an estimated 28,013 units. Twenty-five percent of these units are detached GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AND single-family homes. Brookline’s rate of multifamily SCHOOLS housing (75%) is among the highest in Boston’s inner- core communities. A third of Brookline’s multifamily Three percent of Brookline’s land use is categorized as homes are in larger-scale buildings of 20 or more units. government facilities. Government facilities and schools Another 15 percent of homes are in small buildings with can be great locations to implement climate resilience 3-4 units and an additional 15 percent exist in buildings measures for not only the benefits provided, but as venues with 5-9 units. An with a larger multifamily for public education. The Town has already begun to make unit and a small detached single-family or small building municipal buildings more resilient by retrofitting for energy of 3-4 units is provided as an example of a typical site in efficiency, installing solar photo voltaic arrays and requiring this guidance document. Statistics are from the Town new municipal facilities to be solar-ready, achieving LEED of Brookline’s 2016 Housing Production Plan (RKG Silver certification for school expansions, and exploring net Associates, Inc. and et al.). zero emissions for new school projects. Lincoln School (Kindergarten through 8th grade) is the example site presented in this document. Use the Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist in Appendix A to mitigate potential adverse climate change impacts on site.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 3 The five Brookline-specific examples to show the opportunities that exist to implement climate resilience best management practices on four land use types: residential, commercial, schools, and parks.

Coolidge Longwood Corner Playground

Stearns & St. Paul Street

Kent Street Commercial Parking

Lincoln School

Location of the five Brookline-specific examples

Page 4 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN: COMMERCIAL KENT STREET COMMERCIAL PARKING

2 Building Planter Boxes can be designed to 11 Sustainable Roofing Strategies reduce urban filter stormwater and overflow into drainage heat island and utility costs by using vegetation systems. or reflective materials on the roof. Vegetated roofs can also retain stormwater.

1 and Rain Gardens along 1 Bioswales and Rain Gardens can be and treat stormwater runoff incorporated into parking median strips to and allow water to recharge groundwater. reduce stormwater runoff.

Green Walls can help mitigate the urban heat 6 Permeable Pavement and Cool Pavement island effect and soak up stormwater. 7 allow water to infiltrate into the soil through Exterior Window Shade provide reduce indoor 3 porous material. air temperatures and cooling costs.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 5 CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN: COMMERCIAL COOLIDGE CORNER

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1 Bioswales can be incorporated into street 11 Sustainable Roofing Strategiesreduce medians to reduce stormwater runoff. urban heat island effect and utility costs. Vegetated roofs can also retain stormwater. 3 Exterior Shading reduces impacts of extreme heat. 12 Tree Box Filters capture stormwater, which is then taken up by the tree or filtered into the soil.

Page 6 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN: GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS LINCOLN SCHOOL

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8 Rainwatering Harvesting or rain barrels 1 Bioswales reduce stormwater runoff by collect stormwater from roof runoff for future filtering water into soil and can be incorporated use. into cul-de-sacs.

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1 Bioswales can be incorporated into 7 bump outs. Permeable pavement: Allow water to infiltrate 7 into the soil through porous material.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 7 CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN: PARKS AND OPEN SPACE LONGWOOD PLAYGROUND

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1 Rain Gardens are small bioswales that treat 1 stormwater runoff and recharge groundwater.

7 Permeable Pavement or Cool Pavement 13 Vegetation and Shade Trees provide relief allow water to infiltrate into the soil through from urban heat and soak up rainwater. porous material. 5 Floodable spaces can be natural spaces or urban water squares.

Vegetation and Shade Trees Soil Protection reduces compaction, which 13 10 reduces erosion and filters stormwater quickly. Soil Protection reduces erosion from 10 5 Floodable Spaces are designed to flood and stormwater runoff. filter stormwater quickly.

Page 8 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN: RESIDENTIAL STEARNS ROAD AND ST. PAUL STREET

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8 12 1 1

Sustainable Roofing Strategiesreduce Bioswales can be incorporated along 11 urban heat island effect and utility costs. 1 sidewalks to reduce stormwater runoff Vegetated roofs can retain stormwater. 8 Rainwater Harvesting collect stormwater 3 Exterior Window Shades reduce the impacts from roof runoff for future use. of extreme heat.

Bioswales reduce stormwater runoff by filtering Did You Know? Brookline’s tree canopy draws 1 water into soil in curb bump outs. in stormwater helping the Town avoid 26.7 million 12 Tree Box Filters capture stormwater, which is gallons of stormwater runoff per year (MAPC, 2017 then taken up by the tree or filtered into the soil. Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan).

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 9 1 BIOSWALE AND RAIN GARDEN

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS Bioswales and rain gardens, also known as areas, filter stormwater runoff and ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite allow water to recharge groundwater. Bioswales reduce the stormwater pollution by using soil, ✓✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants plants and microbes to filter stormwater before ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect it is infiltrated or discharged. Bioswales can be used in a variety of spaces including parking and ✓✓ Provides roadway median strips, along sidewalks and streets, in cul-de-sacs, and corner bump-outs. ✓✓ Improves Air Quality In residential development, rain gardens may ✓✓ Improves Site Aesthetics be considered as an alternative if the available space for onsite stormwater retention is limited. Bioswales and rain gardens are good options for both new development and redevelopment.

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

• Bi-annual evaluation of vegetation Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: $5 to $30 health and replace if necessary. • Biorention Areas & Rain Gardens • Monthly inspection for erosion • Water Quality Swales per square foot and removal of invasive species and trash MAPC Fact Sheets: estimated cost of a • Annually re-mulch void areas and • Biorentention Areas biorention area prune vegetation • Vegetated Swales University of New Hampshire: (Massachusetts Clean Water Handbook) • Regular Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Bioretention Systems and Inspection Checklist

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Bioswales capture stormwater in depressions filled with sandy soil, topped with a thick layer of mulch, and planted with dense vegetation.

The design can incorporate components to increase drainage and prevent flooding.

Use native plant species to reduce the use of water and overall maintenance requirements.

Image: Weston and Sampson based on Massachusetts Clean Water Handbook

Page 10 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 2 BUILDING PLANTER BOXES

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS

Building planter boxes are a way to infiltrate ✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants roof runoff alongside a building. Planter boxes are impermeable structures with underdrains. ✓ Improves Air Quality As stormwater, typically roof runoff conveyed ✓ Improves Site Aesthetics via a downspout, passes down through the planting soil, pollutants are filtered, adsorbed, and biodegraded by the soil and plants. Building planter boxes do not take up much room alongside building and reduce potential basement flooding.

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

Regular maintenance includes: Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: $24 to $32 • Tending to the plants and Planter Box cleaning out sediment. estimated cost • Inspecting for erosion and per square foot repairs.

(Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit)

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Building planter boxes can be designed with a direct connection to the drain to mitigate stormwater flooding if the system reaches capacity.

Plants should be selected carefully to minimize maintenance and maximize function. Native plant species are preferred.

Image: Weston and Sampson adapted from the Bayou Land RC&D BMP Guidance Document (Geosyntec Consultants, 2010)

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 11 3 EXTERIOR WINDOW SHADE

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS

Building overhangs, canopies, and large trees ✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect can provide exterior shade. Exterior shade can create a microclimate with reduced temperatures in outdoor public spaces as well as help control the interior temperature of a building.

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

Exterior window shade will vary • Exterior shades will need to be Enterprise Green Communities: depending upon the site. The replaced with normal wear and Strategies for Multifamily cost is typically lower compared tear. Building Resilience (p.76) to other resilience measures with monetary benefits being gained through reduced air conditioning costs.

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Southern facing facades receive direct sunlight when the sun is at its highest. Overhangs are effective on the southern facing facades because of the sun’s location throughout the day. The sun hits east- and west-facing windows lower. Awnings work well for blocking the sun on east-and west-facing facades.

Retractable overhangs and deciduous vegetation work well in climates with seasonal climates so the benefits of heat and sunlight can be optimized during colder temperatures. Deciduous vegetation blocks sunlight in the summer and sunlight is allowed through in the winter when the leaves have fallen. Greenery also provides important psychological and health benefits for residents. Falling snowpack Image: Weston and Sampson based on Enterprise Green Communities: and icicles from overhangs or awnings can Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience. also become public safety hazards. Therefore, overhang and awning placement should be DID YOU KNOW? limited or carefully located over walkways. A significant portion of north Brookline is within the Alternatively, facility managers should plan to hottest 5% of the land area in the metro-Boston area. reduce winter-related hazards. Trees can help reduce land surface temperatures.

Page 12 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 4 FLOOD BARRIERS

DESCRIPTION

Permanent or temporary physical barriers can as a natural flood barrier. All federal, state and prevent flooding. Property owners with older local permits must be obtained prior to filling, buildings may prefer to apply this technique including constructing, in a regulated floodplain. because modifications to the building structure are not required. Temporary flood barriers could include sandbags, water-inflated tube systems, panels, or walls. Permanent barriers RESILIENCE BENEFITS could include walls and berms. Berms are raised areas of land or compacted earthen ✓ Mitigates the Impact of Flooding structures that prevent water seepage and act

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

Costs are • Inspect after flood for damage Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: • Clean periodically Filter Berm mid to high. • Train residents or staff on deployment Enterprise Green Communities: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience (p.28)

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Flood barriers can also keep water in, so make a plan to pump water out or giving floodwaters an outlet.

Ensure residents or emergency personnel can get in and out of structure.

Image: Weston and Sampson based on Enterprise Green Communities: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 13 5 FLOODABLE SPACES

DESCRIPTION

Floodable spaces are designed for active such as a subsurface bed provide uses during clear weather, but will become temporary storage and infiltration of stormwater inundated during heavy rainfall events. These runoff by using below grade storage media to include spaces both onsite and in buildings that hold the water. can be used to store water. In buildings, wet floodproofing is used for protection of uses to allow unoccupied spaces, like parking, to be RESILIENCE BENEFITS flooded during a storm. A water square isan urban plaza designed to collect floodwater and ✓ Mitigates the Impact of Flooding increase stormwater detention or infiltration. In a more rural or suburban setting, techniques

COST MAINTENANCE

Costs are mid to high. Costs vary considerably and are • Create a plan for removal of unwanted items from dependent upon the site-specific situation. the floodable area • Professionally clean area after flooding to remove pollutants and reduce health risks

RESOURCES

Enterprise Green Communities: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience (p.15)

Linnean Solutions, The Built Environment Group, The Resilient Design Institute: Building Resilience In Boston

Urban Green-Blue Grids: Water Squares

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Relocate or protect equipment that should not be exposed to water. Provide floodwater entry and exit points. Use water-resistant building materials.

Image: Weston and Sampson based on Enterprise Green Communities: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience.

Page 14 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 6 GREEN WALL

DESCRIPTION

A green wall uses a trellis of metal or wood or net system of cable or rope as a base on RESILIENCE BENEFITS which plants can grow. Green walls can also be landscaped alongside berms or slopes serving ✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect as natural barriers. Green walls can be used as an additional layer of building insulation, privacy ✓ Improves Air Quality walls, or noise barriers. For example, the Brookline Zoning By-Law requires properties ✓ Improves Site Aesthetics adjacent to parking lots are shielded from head light glare and green walls can be used in this instance. Green walls also improve air quality.

MAINTENANCE COST

Cost will vary depending on project size and system type. • Plant maintenance will vary depending on plant type. • The base trellis or net should be checked periodically For reference, a 300 square foot modular living wall in to ensure the structure is secure and the tension is New York City cost $110 per square feet. Read about still supportive. other case studies with higher costs from Green Roofs for Health Cities. However, Architek sells green façade systems and quotes the average the cost for installing a green facade system, complete with plants, is $25 - $30 per square foot. RESOURCES

Green Roofs for Health Cities: Introduction to Green Walls Technology, Benefits & Design

University of Maryland Extension: Green Facades

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Plant selection should consider vines or other vegetation that require little to no irrigation or nutrient supplements.

Image: Weston and Sampson based on Vertical Oxygen webpage.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 15 7 PERMEABLE PAVING AND COOL PAVEMENT

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS Permeable or porous pavement looks just like regular pavement and allows water to seep ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite through and infiltrate into the ground. Permeable paving techniques include porous asphalt, ✓✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants pervious , paving stones, permeable ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect pavers, and manufactured “grass pavers” made of concrete or plastic. Cool pavements ✓✓ Provides Groundwater Recharge reflect sunlight, enhance evaporation, and stay cooler than conventional paving materials. Cool pavements help reduce urban heat island effect.

COST RESOURCES

Environmental Protection Agency Cost Estimates (p.25) Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: Porous Pavement

Porous asphalt and construction Metropolitan Area Planning Council: Permeable Paving costs may be 50% more than conventional asphalt Fact Sheet and concrete. Construction costs of paving stones and grass pavers varies considerably and will depend on the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Toolkit: Understanding application (Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit). Porous Asphalt

University of New Hampshire: Regular Inspection and MAINTENANCE Maintenance Guidance for Permeable Pavements and Inspection Checklist

• Clean debris at least twice a year. Periodic vacuuming and low-pressure washing increases the functional life. DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS • Modular porous concrete can improve ease of maintenance. Permeable pavement is particularly appropriate for pedestrian-only areas or areas with a low volume or traffic speeds. Porous pavement performs well in cold climates. Porous pavement can reduce runoff from snowmelt and avoid excessive water on the road during the snowmelt period.

The potential for frost heaving should be anticipated in cold climates. The storage bed specifications prepared by the University of New Hampshire address this concern.

Cool pavements can be achieved through the material or applying coating to traditional pavement types. Image: Weston and Sampson based on the The Conway School, 2014

Page 16 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 8 RAINWATER HARVESTING

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS

Rainwater harvesting with rain barrels or cisterns ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite can reduce water consumption and stormwater runoff. Harvested rainfall can be used to water ✓✓ Provides Groundwater Recharge plants among other outdoor uses. A simple rain barrel system can be set up to collect runoff from a down-spout (less than 100 gallons). Cisterns are larger systems (greater than 100 gallons) that collect water either above ground, MAINTENANCE on roofs, or underground. Some cistern systems will require pumps to move water to vegetation, • Repair and replace components as necessary. which increases the costs and maintenance of • Inspect twice a year. rainwater harvesting.

COST RESOURCES

Commercially available rain barrels begin at approximately Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: $60 for a 55-gallon barrel. Cisterns are more expensive Rain Barrels & Cisterns and vary in in cost due to the larger size, complexity, and installation costs. For reference, a project with an 800 Metropolitan Area Planning Council: gallon two-tank system complete with pump and drywell Cisterns and Rain Barrels Fact Sheet structure in Massachusetts cost $3,000. A common cistern shared by multiple properties may reduce costs Pioneer Valley Sustainability Toolkit: because there is only one excavation, one tank or set Understanding Rainwater Harvesting of tanks, and one pump (Metropolian Area Planning Council).

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Minimize leaves and debris in the storage tank by placing a screen at the top of the downspout.

Rain barrels should be childproof and secured against disturbance by people or animals. Any openings should be sealed with mosquito netting.

May need to be disconnected and drained in winter to avoid cracking of storage structure.

Before using rooftop runoff for vegetable gardens, investigate the quality of the runoff.

Image: Weston and Sampson based on City of Berkeley, CA Residential Rainwater Harvesting System Webpage.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 17 9 SITE GRADING FOR FLOOD MANAGEMENT

DESCRIPTION

Site grading can be used as a tool to change topography so that it prevents, minimizes, RESILIENCE BENEFITS redirects, or captures stormwater or riverine flooding onsite. Site grading can be used to ✓✓ Mitigates the Impact of Flooding elevate buildings and infrastructure or to create flood storage. Changes in topography can anticipate future floodplains, under climate change, to minimize future impacts from flooding. All federal, state and local permits must be obtained prior to filling, including constructing, in a regulated floodplain.

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

If planned appropriately, • Vegetation and armoring must be Missouri State Emergency elevation and storage areas can maintained in good condition. Management Agency: Floodplain be constructed as part of site Management in Missouri, Quick development at a relatively small Guide cost. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Compensatory Storage

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Elevating with Fill Provide at least one foot of freeboard above current or projected base flood elevations.

If using fill to elevate an area or structure, the fill must be: • Good quality and free of non-soil materials (large rocks, construction debris, stumps and roots, etc.) • Machine compacted to 95 percent of maximum density and certified as such by a soil scientist or professional engineer. • Graded to slopes no steeper than 2:1 and ideally of 3:1 or flatter. • Reinforced against erosion and sloughing with well-established vegetation for lower velocity flows (no more than 1 foot per second) and armored for higher velocity flows.

Flood Storage Seek to provide a volume of floodwater storage to minimize impacts elsewhere on- or off-site. Use modeling to simulate current and future flooding conditions under climate change.

Page 18 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 10 SOIL PROTECTION

DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of climate resilience, soil onsite. When soil is compacted through the use protection strategies preserve and use topsoil, of heavy machinery, its stormwater filter and when possible, and reduce compaction of infiltration properties are lost. There are a variety in situ soils. The goal of soil protection is to of strategies to protect soils including: maintain the amount of stable soils and grades • Minimizing site disturbance • Reducing clear cutting and maintaining natural areas RESILIENCE BENEFITS • Applying soil amendments, which include both soil conditioners and fertilizers ✓✓ Reduce Erosion and Sedimentation • Hydroseeding, sodding, seeding or stabilizing fine-graded disturbed areas ✓✓ Provides Groundwater Recharge by establishing permanent grass stands

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

Minimizing site disturbance and Periodically and after rainstorms, Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: reduction of cutting typically save soil protection and retention Land Grading and Stabilization money. Soil amendments and measures should be inspected for Topsoiling sodding are moderately expensive. erosion, damage, or other signs of Soil Retention deterioration. Sodding Soil Amendments Preserving Natural Vegetation

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Promote drought tolerant cover by choosing types of grass and plant species that require less water.

Ensure soil conditions are appropriate for sustaining low water use and healthy cover. Loam, soil with adequate organic material, of 6 inches will greatly reduce water needs by providing the ability to hold water and provide nutrients to the plants.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 19 11 SUSTAINABLE ROOFING STRATEGES

DESCRIPTION

Roofs have great potential for stormwater management and urban cooling benefits. There are several ways to adapt a roof to provide benefits to the building owner, occupants, and community. Green roofs are vegetated and increase on-site stormwater retention. Cools roofs use materials that have a high solar reflectance. Solar reflectivity measures a material’s ability to reflect sunlight and therefore reduce warming effects on buildings. Solar reflectivity is measured on a scale from 0 to 1 (or 0%-100%) with higher values representing cooler or high albedo material. Solar roofs are best for southern facing rooftops. Solar panels can provide shade and renewable energy onsite. Blue roofs are typically cool roofs that can also store rainwater. Blue roofs are designed to release the water slowly. Sustainable roofing strategies reduce urban heat island effect and reduce utility costs. RESILIENCE BENEFITS COST ✓✓ Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs Green roofs start at $5 per square foot in additional roofing costs. They generally cost more to install than conventional roofs but are financially ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite competitive on a lifecycle basis because of longer life spans (up to 40 years), increased energy efficiency, and reduced stormwater runoff. ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island If the application is a retrofit, structural upgrades may increase the Effect cost. Blue roof cost less than green roofs. Cool roofing can be very affordable overall, especially after the payback from energy savings. ✓✓ Improves Air Quality Energy savings range from 7%-15% of total cooling costs. ✓✓ Improves Site Aesthetics MAINTENANCE

• Green roofs need to be inspected, specifically the roof membrane RESOURCES and drainage layer flow paths. • In the first two years before vegetation is established, green roofs may require weeding, mulching, and additional plantings. Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: • Green Roofs • Rooftop Detention

Metropolitan Area Planning Council: Green Roofs Fact Sheet

Pioneer River Valley Sustainability Toolkit: Understanding Green Roofs

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Green roofs require structural components able to bear additional weight

Vegetation should be low growing, Image: Weston and Sampson based on American Wick Drain Corp. spreading perennial or self-sowing annuals that are drought tolerant.

Page 20 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline 12 TREE BOX FILTERS

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS

Tree box filters consist of an underground, open ✓✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite bottom concrete barrel filled with a porous soil media, an underdrain in crushed gravel, and ✓✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants a tree. The compact size of a ✓✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect makes this technique applicable to many types of development and redevelopment because its ✓✓ Provides Groundwater Recharge location can be adapted to the site. ✓✓ Improves Air Quality ✓✓ Improves Site Aesthetics COST

Estimated cost range of tree filters is $10,000 and $18,000. (Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit) RESOURCES

There are a variety of costs described in the available literature on tree box filters, ranging from $1,500 to Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: $10,000. Recent quotes from manufacturers of these Tree Box Filters systems provide perhaps a more realistic range: $7,000 to $12,000, depending on size and not including installation. Pioneer Valley Sustainability Toolkit: For public projects, installations can be done by municipal Understanding Tree Box Filters public works department or they might be bid out as part of a larger construction project. University of New Hampshire: Regular Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Tree Filters and Inspection Checklist

MAINTENANCE Contech: Filterra Biorientation

• Removal of trash, debris, and sediment. • Replenish mulch • Care and replacement of plants. • Rake media at least twice a year to maintain permeability • Annual maintenance cost for an owner has been reported at approximately $100 per unit. Annual maintenance by the manufacturer is $500 per unit. (Pioneer Valley Sustainability Toolkit)

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Native plants or plants that can withstand alternating inundation and drought will be good choices for tree planter boxes

Image: Weston and Sampson based on University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, 2009.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 21 13 VEGETATION AND SHADE TREES

DESCRIPTION RESILIENCE BENEFITS

Vegetation and trees can be utilized on ✓ Manages Stormwater Onsite almost any type of development. Vegetation helps lower temperatures through shade ✓ Filters Stormwater Pollutants and evapotranspiration. Trees help lower ✓ Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect temperature by providing shade. Both can also help with stormwater retention. Preserving ✓ Provides Groundwater Recharge natural vegetation on the site provides site stabilization and helps reduce erosion. ✓ Improves Air Quality Vegetation and trees provide habitat for wildlife. ✓ Improves Site Aesthetics

COST MAINTENANCE RESOURCES

Varies depending on plant species • Possible watering during Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: dry periods, inspection and • Preserving Natural replacement when necessary Vegetation • Tree and Shrub Planting

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Native species are preferred. When preserving trees and vegetation on site consider: • Location: Ensure vegetation will not interfere with the installation and maintenance of utilities. • Health: Examine vegetation and trees for broken tops, dead branches, or signs of insect infestation or disease • Age and Size: Young small plants will take a while to develop and provide the benefits of a more mature tree. Old trees reaching the average lifespan of a tree species may have less vigor and decline rapidly. Established, mature trees (usually less than 40 years old) are the best fit for preservation.

Page 22 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline BUILDING RESILIENCE

DESCRIPTION RESOURCES Buildings should consider climate resilience measures above and beyond those required by Enterprise Green Communities: the Massachusetts State Building Code. Building Strategies for Multifamily interiors should be designed to elevate, protect and Building Resilience (p.76) back up critical infrastructure, like the power system. The power system and backup power system may Linnean Solutions, The Built Environment Group, The Resilient be equipped with a lower occupancy mode, Design Institute: Building which would include enough power for an elevator, Resilience In Boston water and wastewater systems, some LED lighting, refrigerators, and a conditioned community room. Sump pumps and dry flood proofing (or sealing building to keep water out) are typically paired strategies to protect the building from flood damage.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 23 RESOURCES

American Wick Drain, Corp. Prefabricated Drains. Linnean Solutions, The Built Environment Coalition, and https://www.acfenvironmental.com/wp-content/ The Resilient Design Institute. 2013. Building Resilience in uploads/2015/10/AWD_Prefabricated_Drains_TMM.pdf Boston: “Best Practices” for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience for Existing Buildings. Prepared for Boston Architek. Green Façade Overview. http://architek.com/ Green Ribbon Comission Climate Preparedness Working products/green-facades Group.

City of Berkeley, CA. Residential Rainwater Harvesting Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Systems. https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Planning_and_ Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit: Best Management Development/Energy_and_Sustainable_Development/ Practices. http://prj.geosyntec.com/npsmanual/ Rainwater_Harvesting.aspx bmpfactsheetmenu.aspx

City of Holyoke, MA. 2014. Green Streets Guidebook- Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). 2017. Recommended Plants for Green Roofs and Green Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Action Infrastructure. https://www.holyoke.org/wp-content/ Plan. Prepared for the Town of Brookline.. https://www. uploads/2012/10/Final-Cover-Page-LowRes-w-Cover. brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13876/Town- pdf of-Brookline_vulnerability-assessment_1219-2018- submitted Contech Engineered Solutions. Filterra Bioretention. https://www.conteches.com/stormwater-management/ Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Low Impact biofiltration-bioretention/filterra Development Toolkit: Fact Sheets. https://www.mapc. org/resource-library/low-impact-development-toolkit/ Enterprise Green Communities. Ready to Respond: Strategies for Multifamily Building Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. Resilience. https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/ 2017-2018. Floodplain Management in Missouri: Quick download?fid=2154&nid=4325 Guide. https://sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/floodplain/ documents/quick-guide.pdf Esri, HERE Technologies, Garman, OpenStreetMap contributors, and GIS user Community. ArcMap Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). Basemap. Sustainability Toolkit. http://www.pvpc.org/plans/ pioneer-valley-sustainability-toolkit Green Building Alliance. Green Building Methods: Cool Roofs. https://www.go-gba.org/resources/green- RKG Associates, Inc., JM Goldson, and Metropolitan Area building-methods/cool-roofs/ Planning Council. 2016. Brookline Housing Production Plan. Prepared for the Town of Brookline. Green-Blue Grids. Water Squares. https://www. urbangreenbluegrids.com/measures/water-squares/ Storm Crete. Precast Modular Porous Concrete. http:// storm-crete.com/ Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. 2008. Introduction to Green Walls Technology, Benefits, and Design. https:// The Conway School. 2014. Green Streets Guidebook greenscreen.com/docs/Education/greenscreen_ for the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts. https://www. Introduction%20to%20Green%20Walls.pdf holyoke.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Final-Cover- Page-LowRes-w-Cover.pdf Geosyntec Consultants. 2010. Stormwater BMP Guidance Tool: A Stormwater Best Management Town of Brookline. Longwood Playground. https://www. Practices Guide for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. brooklinema.gov/facilities/facility/details/Longwood- Prepared for Bayour Land RC &D Council and DEQ Playground-38 Louisiana. University of New Hampshire. 2009. Biannual Report. Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. and Washington https://www.unh.edu/unhsc/sites/unh.edu.unhsc/files/ Stormwater Center. Western Washington Low Impact pubs_specs_info/2009_unhsc_report.pdf Development (LID) Operation and Maintenance (O&M). Prepared for Washington State Department of Ecology Water Quality Program.

Page 24 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline RESOURCES

University of New Hampshire. 2017. Regular Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Bioretention Systems and Inspection Checklist. https://www.unh.edu/unhsc/sites/ default/files/media/unhsc_bioretention_maintenance_ guidelines_02-2017.pdf

University of New Hampshire. Regular Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Permeable Pavements and Inspection Checklist. https://www.unh.edu/unhsc/sites/ default/files/media/unhsc_pp_om_guide.pdf

University of New Hampshire, Regular Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Tree Filters and Inspection Checklist. https://www.unh.edu/unhsc/sites/unh.edu. unhsc/files/UNHSC%20Biofilter%20Maintenance%20 Guidance%20and%20Checklist%201-11_0.pdf

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2012. “Cool Pavements.” Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Draft. https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/ heat-island-compendium.

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2018. Compensatory Storage Definition. https://www.fema. gov/compensatory-storage

Vertical Oxygen. Type of Plant Walls. https:// verticaloxygen.com/living-walls/

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Design Guidance | Page 25 Appendix A Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist

Page 26 | Town of Brookline: Design Guidance Town of Brookline TOWN OF BROOKLINE CLIMATE RESILIENCE SITE DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST

The purpose of the Site Development Climate Resilience Checklist is to assist special permit applicants mitigate potential adverse climate change impacts over the design life of a project (normally at least 30 to 50 years). Climate change is expected to result in increased frequency and intensity of extreme temperatures, periods of drought, severe storms, and precipitation. Increased precipitation intensity may result in increased stormwater and riverine flooding. Climate change is also likely to alter ecological conditions, which could lead to habitat degradation and favorable conditions for invasive species.

All development must adhere to the Town of Brookline Zoning By-Law and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Brookline has adopted the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards for development and redevelopment projects on a town wide basis, whether or not the site is regulated under the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, 310 CMR 10.05(6)(k) or the Water Quality Certification Regulations, 314 CMR 9.06(6)(a). Projects that disturb 2,500 square feet or more, which result in an increased amount of stormwater runoff, must apply for a stormwater permit from the Town. Smaller projects are exempt from permit review should still comply with the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards. Developers are encouraged to use this checklist to produce resilient projects and to facilitate coordination with the Town of Brookline. Completing this checklist does not take the place of project permitting and does not, in any way, ensure or imply that a permit has or will be granted by the Town. A public emergency plan for the proposed project site describing the evacuation routes, emergency procedures, and the availability of power, water, and wastewater is also encouraged.

GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Name: Project Address: Map: Block: Lot(s):

APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant: Company/ Organization: Mailing Address: Phone Number: Email Address:

OWNER INFORMATION  The owner and applicant are the same. Owner(s) Name: Company/ Organization: Mailing Address: Phone Number: Email Address:

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist | 1 POINT OF CONTACT INFORMATION  Point of contact and owner are the same.  Point of contact and applicant are the same. Point of Contact Name: Company/ Organization:

Mailing Address:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

PROJECT INFORMATION PROJECT TYPE Please check all that apply.  Nonresidential  Residential  New Construction  Redevelopment

EXISTING Total building footprint (ft²):

Area of impervious cover (ft²):

PROPOSED

Total building footprint (ft²):

Area of impervious cover (ft²):

Area of disturbance (ft²):

SITE LOCATION  Project is within a known floodplain. If the project is within a known floodplain, construction should conform to current floodplain regulations, including those established by FEMA and Section 4.11 Floodplain Overlay District in the Zoning By- Law. Projects should follow the most recent standards set by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Flood Resistant Design and Construction, the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, and Brookline Wetlands By-Law and Regulation.  Project is within local hot spots as identified in the Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan.  Project is within a Resource Area as defined by the Brookline Wetland Regulations.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist | 2 SITE DESIGN ELEMENT: LANDSCAPING AND VEGETATION

Landscaping and vegetation reduce the impacts of climate change by providing shade and by storing precipitation. Plants Site Design Element Intent: identified as invasive, likely invasive, or potentially invasive by the • Mitigate extreme temperatures Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group* (MIPAG) should • Reduce urban heat island effect be avoided because invasive plants threaten local native habitat • Build and maintain habitat for and ecosystem services. Soil health is important to vegetation native species survival and erosion control and is included in this site design • Reduce water usage element. Please provide a narrative and landscape plan with the • Increase stormwater infiltration information in the table below. • Ensure maintenance of plantings • Protect and promote healthy soil

 Provide a narrative and landscape plan including:

A planting list and landscape plan(s) showing new and existing vegetation and the following:  Additional details for tree removal and plantings, including location, type, and caliper.  A description for the removal of invasive species listed by the MIPAG and comparable native replacements.  A description of salt tolerant species, where applicable. A plan to protect native or specimen trees with a process and method for enforcement to ensure existing trees on the site are preserved. A description of an increase or decrease in the tree canopy or vegetated shade. A description of proposed drought resistant/low-water consumption landscaping elements, including irrigation systems. A description of the maintenance schedule and activities.

A plan to conserve and manage forested areas or environmentally sensitive areas.

A description of open space in adjacent lots and plan for contiguity of open space across lots.

A plan to limit site disturbance and reestablish vegetated areas.

A plan to avoid soil compaction, erosion, and/or restore soils.

*Invasive Plant List https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/tm/invasive-plant-list.pdf

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist | 3 SITE DESIGN ELEMENT: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Effective stormwater management protects water quality and ensures proper water quantity infiltration into surface and Site Design Element Intent: ground water for adequate streamflow and water supply. • Mitigate flooding Stormwater is best managed by reducing impervious surfaces • Increase infiltration of and promoting infiltration through Low Impact pollutants into the Development (LID). Please provide a site plan and narrative environment illustrating the details of the stormwater management system • Protect public safety and efforts to reduce the amount of impervious surface (, parking lots, sidewalks). • Protect property

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

 Provide a site plan and narrative about that stormwater management system, including;

A description of how the stormwater best management practices have been applied for:  Bioswale and Rain Garden  Rainwater Harvesting  Building Planter Boxes  Site Grading for Flood Management  Exterior Window Shade  Soil Protection  Flood Barriers  Sustainable Roofing Strategies  Floodable Spaces  Tree Box Filters  Green Wall  Vegetation and Shade Trees  Permeable Pavement/Cool Pavement  Other:______

A description of how best management practices have been applied in yards, the center of cul-de- sacs, rotaries, and vegetated strips along sidewalks. A description of how street edges allow side-of-road drainage into a vegetated open swale(s). A description of how climate change projections and impacts have been considered in the stormwater management design. A description of the operation and maintenance of the stormwater best management practices.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACES  Provide a site plan and a narrative about impervious surface reduction efforts, including: A description of the impervious surfaces on site (like roads, sidewalks, parking areas) and how the total impervious surface area has been minimized. A description of how parking areas (pervious pavement cleaning and vegetation) will be maintained.

A plan for shared parking and easements (if required) or multi-level parking for larger developments.

A description of any vegetated walls or screens to protect adjacent properties from headlight glare.

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist | 4 SITE DESIGN ELEMENT: BUILDING RESILIENCE Site Design Element Intent: Buildings should consider climate resilience measures above • Reduce extreme temperature and beyond those required by the Massachusetts State Building fluctuations Code. Building exteriors can reduce the impact of • Increase infiltration of extreme temperature within and surrounding the building. pollutants into the environment Buildings can be designed to mitigate climate impacts like • Protect public safety flooding and to maintain critical infrastructure during • Protect property emergencies.

 Provide a site plan and description if any of the following are part of the proposed design:

Green facades

Sustainable roofing strategies (green, cool or blue rooftops)

Drain leaders that are disconnected managed through infiltration and vegetated treatment

Exterior building design uses heat reflective materials

Designed to elevate, protect and back up critical infrastructure

Power system and backup system includes a lower occupancy mode, which powers basic amenities

Sump pumps, dry flood proofing, or other flood protection strategies

Town of Brookline Climate Resilience Site Development Checklist | 5